State Outlines Modifications Needed to Make Fall Sports Happen

High school football, soccer and volleyball would need to undergo modifications to be played in the commonwealth this fall under the latest guidelines for youth sports released Thursday by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Football continues to fall in the EEA's "Higher Risk" category for transmission of COVID-19, and that means tackle football would not be allowed under the rules released Thursday. Soccer and volleyball are classified in the "Moderate Risk" category and would require changes of their own to reduce the risk of transmission.

All activities but "Lower Risk" sports, like golf and cross country running, will require some modifications in order to have competitive games between teams, according to the EEA document.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is expected to use the EEA guidance to set the ground rules for interscholastic sports in the commonwealth this fall.

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Directors last month committed to follow the direction of DESE and the EEA in making decisions about the interscholastic competitions.

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